Connector for electrical wire-carrying conduits

Abstract

A coupling device for electrical wire-carrying conduits for assembly with an overhead support member having a stem with a free threaded end. The coupling device includes an integral tubular member having axially opposed ends, each of which receives an end of a mating conduit, and the integral top surface on the tubular member has an aperture for engagement with the free end of the stem of the supporting member.

1. A combination of a coupling member, an electrical wire-carrying conduit, and a connecting member adapted for positioning and securing said conduit to a remote supporting structure having an elongated surface spaced from said coupling member, said combination comprising:
 said electrical wire-carrying conduit having opposite ends; 
 said coupling member receiving and supporting said conduit, said coupling member comprises a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and at least one end, said end receiving one end of said conduit along said longitudinal axis, and said tubular member having a wall containing an aperture extending generally perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member; and 
 said connecting member having opposite ends, one end of said connecting member securely engaging said aperture in said wall of said tubular member, the opposite end of said connecting member extending outwardly beyond said wall and away from said aperture, and 
 a clamp assembly comprising 
 i) a clamp body having a generally C-shape configuration and comprising
 (1) a first arm having opposite ends and having a generally smooth, flat surface 
 (2) a second arm having opposite ends and spaced from and having a surface generally parallel to said flat surface of said first arm, 
 (3) a web connecting one end of said first arm and a corresponding one end of said second arm, and 
 (4) each of said first arm and said second arm having threaded apertures extending therethrough, and 
 
 ii) a threaded member threaded through said threaded aperture of said second arm for threaded adjustment, 
 iii) said opposite end of said connecting member threaded through said first arm aperture for threaded adjustment of said first and second arms, 
 
     said clamp assembly being adapted to be selectively and adjustably connected along said remote supporting structure to permit said connecting member to adjustably and selectively support and position said conduit with respect to said elongated surface of said remote supporting structure and being adapted to selectively and securely engage said remote supporting structure to securely hold and support said coupling member and said conduit in a selected position with respect to said elongated surface of said supporting structure and adapted to be removably engagable to said remote supporting structure. 
   
   
     2. A combination as in  claim 1  wherein said wall is raised relative to the exterior surface of said tubular member. 
   
   
     3. A combination as in  claim 2  wherein said aperture is threaded internally and said end of said connecting member is externally matingly threaded for engaging into said internally threaded aperture. 
   
   
     4. A combination as in  claim 3  further comprising a lock nut along said end of said connecting member for locking said end of said connecting member into said aperture. 
   
   
     5. A combination as in  claim 4  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     6. A combination as in  claim 2  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     7. A combination as in  claim 3  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     8. A combination as in  claim 1  wherein said aperture is threaded internally and said end of said connecting member is externally matingly threaded for engaging into said internally threaded aperture. 
   
   
     9. A combination as in  claim 8  further comprising a lock nut along said end of said connecting member for locking said end of said connecting member into said aperture. 
   
   
     10. A combination as in  claim 9  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     11. A combination as in  claim 8  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     12. A combination as in  claim 1  further comprising a lock nut along said end of said connecting member for locking said end of said connecting member into said aperture. 
   
   
     13. A combination as in  claim 12  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     14. A combination as in  claim 2  further comprising a lock nut along said end of said connecting member for locking said end of said connecting member into said aperture. 
   
   
     15. A combination as in  claim 14  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     16. A combination as in  claim 1  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     17. A combination as in  claim 1  wherein said aperture is threaded internally and said end of said connecting member is externally matingly threaded for engaging into said internally threaded aperture. 
   
   
     18. A combination as in  claim 17  further comprising a lock nut along said end of said connecting member for locking said end of said connecting member into said aperture. 
   
   
     19. A combination as in  claim 18  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     20. A combination as in  claim 17  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     21. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein said end of said connecting member is positioned within the confine of said tubular member in direct contact with said conduit. 
   
   
     22. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each of said ends of said tubular member is externally threaded for receiving said conduit. 
   
   
     23. The combination of  claim 1 , wherein each of said ends of said tubular member further having an opening through said tubular member, said opening is internally threaded to receive a set screw for securely positioning said conduit. 
   
   
     24. The combination of  claim 1  wherein said tubular member further having a wall surrounding an interior space, wherein said aperture receiving said end of said connecting member within said interior space. 
   
   
     25. The combination of  claim 1  wherein said conduit further having a longitudinal axis coaxially aligned with said longitudinal axis of said tubular member. 
   
   
     26. In combination, a remote supporting structure and a device depending from said remote support structure for selectively positioning at least one conduit in depending relationship with respect to said remote supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination,
 an electrical wire-carrying conduit, having a first and second opposite ends, 
 a coupling member receiving one end of said conduit, 
 a connecting member, and 
 a clamp assembly selectively positioning and adjustably securing along said conduit with respect to the remote supporting structure having an elongated surface generally parallel to the conduit 
 
     wherein,
 b) said electrical wire-carrying conduit has opposite ends,
 i) each of said ends having a longitudinal axis, and 
 ii) said conduit having a longitudinal axis coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of at least one end; 
 
 c) said coupling member comprising a tubular member having at least one end and having a wall containing an aperture facing the remote supporting structure above said coupling member,
 i) said aperture being threaded internally, 
 ii) said at least one end of said tubular member having a longitudinal axis and receiving one end of said conduit and 
 iii) said longitudinal axis of said one end of said conduit being coaxial with respect to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member; 
 
 d) said connecting member having opposite ends,
 i) one end of said connecting member being externally matingly threaded for securely engaging into said internally threaded aperture of said tubular member, 
 ii) the opposite end of said connecting member extending outwardly beyond said wall of said tubular member and toward said remote supporting structure from which said device depends; and 
 
 e) said clamp assembly comprising
 i) a clamp body having a generally C-shape configuration and comprising
 (1) a first arm having opposite ends and having a generally smooth, flat surface 
 (2) a second arm having opposite ends and spaced from and having a surface generally parallel to said flat surface of said first arm, 
 (3) a web connecting one end of said first arm and a corresponding one end of said second arm, and 
 (4) each of said first arm and said second arm having threaded apertures extending therethrough, and 
 
 ii) a threaded member threaded through said threaded aperture of said second arm for threaded adjustment, 
 iii) said opposite end of said connecting member threaded through said first arm aperture for threaded adjustment of said first and second arms, 
 
 
     said clamp assembly being selectively and adjustably connected along said remote supporting structure to permit said connecting member to adjustably and selectively support and position said conduit with respect to said elongated surface of said remote supporting structure and being adapted to selectively and securely engage said remote supporting structure to securely hold and support said coupling member and said conduit in a selected position with respect to said elongated surface of said supporting structure and to be removably engagable to said remote supporting structure. 
   
   
     27. A combination as in  claim 26  wherein said wall is raised relative to the exterior surface of said tubular member. 
   
   
     28. A combination as in  claim 27  further comprising a lock nut along said end of said connecting member for locking said end of said connecting member into said aperture. 
   
   
     29. A combination as in  claim 28  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     30. A combination as in  claim 27  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     31. A combination as in  claim 26  further comprising a lock nut along said end of said connecting member for locking said end of said connecting member into said aperture. 
   
   
     32. A combination as in  claim 31  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     33. A combination as in  claim 26  wherein said tubular member further having a stop member having a round shape projects internally at about the middle of said tubular member. 
   
   
     34. The combination of  claim 26 , wherein said end of said connecting member is positioned within the confine of said tubular member in direct contact with said conduit. 
   
   
     35. The combination of  claim 26 , wherein each of said ends of said tubular member is externally threaded for receiving said conduit. 
   
   
     36. The combination of  claim 26 , wherein each of said ends of said tubular member further having an opening through said tubular member, said opening is internally threaded to receive a set screw for securely positioning said conduit. 
   
   
     37. The combination of  claim 26 , wherein said aperture is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member.